Keeping Short Nosed Breeds Cool in the Heat

Dogs’ noses play a vital role in keeping them cool by releasing excess body heat when they breathe out. Because of the reduced space inside the noses of Brachycephalic breeds (flat-faced breeds like French Bulldogs), they can’t release heat efficiently. This leaves them at risk of heatstroke, even on what seems like cooler days. Their tolerance for the heat is much lower than long nosed breeds.

No matter the breed of dog you have, the heat can be life threatening. It’s vital to know how to keep them cool and recognise the signs of heatstroke so you can act fast.

Signs of Heatstroke:

• Panting
• Increased respiratory noise
• Visible distress
• Bright red tongue or gums
• Rapid heart rate or pulse
• Excessive drooling
• Shaking
• Loss of coordination
• Confusion
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Weakness
• Collapse
• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures
• Death

Your dog may show one or many of these signs. Here are some simple safety measures you can take to help avoid a situation like this from happening.

• Never walk your dog in the sun or heat – even cloudy days can be too warm
• Walk your pet in the early morning or late evening. Shorter, slower walks are more appropriate. Planning your walks this way means they’ve had a little jaunt and are more likely to settle and keep cool during the day
• A hyper dog at home, will struggle with the heat. Vigorous play, even in the house or shade, poses a massive risk, keeping them settled and quiet is essential
• It’s important to walk brachycephalic dogs on a harness, not a collar. A collar can push on the windpipe and lessen the airway, which can be detrimental to these breeds no matter the weather
• Never leave a dog in a hot car. Even a few minutes with a window open, is long enough for serious heatstroke to happen
• Be mindful of any journeys you take and ensure the car will be cool
• Keep plenty of water to offer regularly. Air conditioning and cooling mats can be useful. Keep journeys to a minimum, at cooler times of the morning or night, and only if required
• Always ensure your dog has plenty of access to water. Keep bowls in multiple parts of the house, offer ice cubes and even frozen treats can be a nice enrichment activity when you’re trying to keep them cool

It’s important to keep all dogs within a healthy weight bracket, but even more so for our flat faced friends. The more weight they carry, the more they struggle with movement and the hotter they are. As these breeds already have difficulty with their breathing and temperature regulation, keeping them at a healthy weight will help manage their temperature during the hotter months.

Here are some further tips for cooling if you suspect your dog may be displaying signs of heatstroke. These are emergency first aid measures, if you suspect heatstroke, call your vet and start actively cooling your pet immediately.

• Move your pet into a cool ventilated environment, a fan is beneficial.
• Avoid stress, use a soothing tone of voice.
• Give them cool but not freezing water to drink.
• Never use very cold water to cool your dog, this can cause shock. Use tepid water.
• Lay them on a cool wet towel. Slowly start to wet their ears, paws and fur.
• Continue to cool your dog on the journey to the vets, ideally in an air-conditioned car.

If you would like any more information on this or any other pet health related queries, our 24/7 Vet Carline service is free for all our members, day or night, 365 days of the year.